U.S. Attorney's Office Announces Sentencing of Datil Man for Filing Fraudulent $20 Million Lien Against Federal Employee

ALBUQUERQUE – A Datil man previously prohibited from filing liens without court approval, was sentenced to 27 months in prison for retaliating against a federal employee by filing a fraudulent $20 million lien in Catron County.

There is no parole in the federal system.

According to court documents, on November 28, 2022, Trapper Killsmany, 68, formerly known as David Goldsmith, filed a fraudulent $20 million lien with the Catron County Clerk's Office against several individuals, including a federal employee. The liens were determined to be false, as the listed debtors had no financial relationship or obligations to Killsmany.

Killsmany's actions were in retaliation for the termination of certain Social Security Administration benefits. Killsmany operated a Facebook page titled "Truth for Trapper Killsmany," where he openly stated that the purpose of the liens was to expose alleged frauds and criminal activities by government employees.

Killsmany had previously been prohibited by a United States District Court in Alaska from filing liens without court approval. In his plea agreement, Killsmany admitted he was aware of the fraudulent nature of his actions.

Upon his release from prison, Killsmany will be subject to 2 years of supervised release.

U.S. Attorney Alexander M.M. Uballez and Raul Bujanda, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Albuquerque Field Office, made the announcement today.

The Albuquerque Field Office investigated this case with the assistance of Catron County Sheriff’s Office and the Social Security Administration. Assistant U.S. Attorney Ry Ellison is prosecuting the case.

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